Linkages among ecotourism, landscape and natural resource management, and livelihood diversification in the region of Suğla Lake, Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate opportunities of the region of Suğla Lake located in Turkey for community-based ecotourism development that enable sustainable landscape and natural resource management as well as livelihood diversification. A participatory research approach was applied by participation of a diverse number of stakeholders (e.g. local communities, local and central governmental bodies and researchers). A set of participatory research tools (e.g. interviews and field surveys), SWOT analysis and the method of Ecotourism Opportunity Spectrum (ECOS) were used to collect and evaluate relevant data. The study consists of four sections. The first section focuses on SWOT analysis by which the advantages and disadvantages of the study area for ecotourism development were examined. In the second section, the most suitable villages for ecotourism development were examined by adapting the method of ECOS based on the 18 parameters by using 1–4 score system. Accordingly, the most suitable five villages for ecotourism development were determined. Major natural and cultural ecotourism resources (e.g. diversity of landforms, spectacular landscapes and traditional lifestyle) of the study area were examined in the third section. In the fourth section, the ecotourism-based livelihood and relevant core capitals were evaluated according to 1–4 score system for the five villages. We hope that the outcomes of this study can draw attention of planners and policymakers to the role of ecotourism for sustainable landscape and natural resource management as well as livelihood diversification in the region and elsewhere.

Keywords:

• ecotourism
• landscape management
• natural resource management
• livelihood diversification
• sustainable development

Acknowledgements

The article comprises a part of the Landscape Management, Protection and Planning Project for Konya Province, Bozkır-Seydişehir-Ahırlı-Yalıhöyük Districts and Suğla Lake being launched by the Landscape Protection Branch of the Nature Conservation Office of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and executed by the AKS Engineering, which is one of the target areas defined in the Regional Development Program, an investment program preparation guide for the period of 2007–2009 in the 9th National Development Plan. We would like to thank the related institutions during the preparation of the project and article.

Notes

1. According to the Brundtland Commission (1987), sustainable development refers to development which meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (WCED 1987, p. 41). The concept of sustainable development is the most important policy of the twenty-first century. It is widely used in biology, natural resources management, economics, urban planning, landscape planning and other domains (Basiago 1995; Cetinkaya et al. 2011). Efforts towards sustainable development seek to establish a dynamic equilibrium among economic, environmental and social pillars (Read 2006; Lozano 2007; Cetinkaya et al. 2011).